Top 10 Tips for Marketing to Millennials and Generation Z

It’s no secret that millennials and Gen Z are in high demand. Members of the tech generation are uniquely loyal to the brands they follow, but gaining their trust can be tricky. Amp up your social media efforts with these simple tips for marketing to millennials:

1. Optimize Content For Social Media

Social media marketing is the new SEO. While millennials continue to use search engines (especially via Alexa and Siri), they increasingly navigate the internet via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

2. Make All Content Share-Worthy

Your goal should not be merely to capture readers’ interest and convert them to sales; you want them to share your content. That ‘share’ button can be your best friend, but only if young followers feel compelled to use it because it is unique, surprising or entertaining.

3. Seek Influencer Help for Marketing to Millennials

Instagram stars hold major influence over their followers. Integrate them organically into your campaign to achieve your own star status among your millennial followers. Relationships with influencers must be genuine; millennials can smell cheap marketing ploys from a mile away. An influencer who truly believes in your product, however, can be a social media goldmine.

4. Embrace Snapchat

Young people adore Snapchat. As of its 2017 S-1 filing, the teen-heavy network scored an average 18 visits a day from loyal users. Gain an edge on the competition by integrating Snap Stories into your marketing initiative — especially during noteworthy events.

5. Encourage Reviews

Social proof is everything for today’s teens and twenty-somethings. Many refuse to visit bars or restaurants until they’ve vetted all of their options online. Don’t shy away from reviews for fear of poor feedback; encourage satisfied customers to comment on their experience and embrace negative reviews as an opportunity to improve.

6. Make Each Experience Interactive

Young internet users demand a say. Allow them to share their thoughts not only in reviews, but also in the comment sections on your social media posts. Prompt participation with engaging discussions, questions or fun contests.

7. Harness the Power of Video

Video dominates the modern web. Time spent watching videos on social devices skyrocketed from just four minutes in 2012 to half an hour every day in 2017. Young followers are especially devoted to Facebook Live.

8. Explore Omnichannel Marketing

A new hot topic in digital marketing, the omnichannel approach involves integrating online and offline experiences. Consistency is key; users should encounter the same message regardless of the device they use to connect to your content.

9. Avoid the Hard Sell

Millennials shy away from sales tactics that once worked wonders with Baby Boomers and Gen X. The harder you push, the more they’ll retreat. Brands attract young consumers by building loyalty over time, ideally with help from influencers.

10. Optimize for Mobile

There’s no excuse for catering to desktop users in today’s mobile age. Mobile internet usage surpassed traditional web surfing years ago. Today’s teens dedicate an average nine hours per day to media consumption, mostly on mobile devices. Optimize websites and social media platforms to ensure a seamless mobile experience.

Marketing to millennials and Gen Z need not be complicated; it’s all about getting young users passionate and involved. Appeal to their core values, and they’ll show the ultimate brand loyalty.